Thanks to community effort, seriously injured deputy airlifted back to Seattle

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SEATTLE -- Thanks to a huge community effort, King County sheriff's Sgt. Wing Woo -- who was seriously injured in a surfing accident in Maui -- is being airlifted back to Seattle on a medical plane.

He is expected to arrive at Renton Municipal Airport at 12:30 a.m. Friday and to be taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center.

The community, at last check, had donated $121,000 to help him -- surpassing the goal of $100,000 sought to help cover the expenses of his medical flight.

While body surfing with his son in Maui earlier this week, Woo was taken out by a wave. He was knocked unconscious, had a cardiac arrest and was pulled out of the water by his son. After several days on life support, he is awake, talking, and starting to be able to move his toes, his family said. He has a spinal injury and bigger issues with the water and sand in his lungs.

The family wants to get him to Harborview but only can move him by medical plane. Insurance is helping with a chunk of the $53,000 bill, family members said. But there's much more that needs to be covered. The medical plane needs a large amount upfront before they will fly. Anyone willing or able to donate, the family would be extremely appreciative.

Woo was a Mount Rainier High School graduate, a Burien city councilman from 2000-2001, mayor of Burien from 2002-2003 as well as serving for the Burien Police Department. Currently he serves as a police officer in Shoreline.

To help cover the airlift charges, you can donate at the Go Fund Me link here or an account has been set up in his name at Heritage Bank. If you would like to help Woo and his family, you can make a donation by cash or check (checks made payable to Catherine Marino FBO: Sergeant Wing Woo) at any Heritage Bank branch Attn: Sergeant Wing Woo Account or mail them to:
Heritage Bank
Attn: Sergeant Wing Woo Account
20333 Ballinger Way NE
Shoreline, WA 98155